Golesh Hires Larry Scott, But Tigers Lose Star Freshman Jay Crawford to Portal
The "Alex Golesh Era" at Auburn is experiencing extreme turbulence in its first month. Just as the new head coach finalizes his staff, the roster attrition has hit a critical level with the loss of one of the program's brightest young stars.
The Loss: Jay Crawford Departs
On Tuesday, cornerback Jay Crawford announced his intention to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. This is not just another name on the list; Crawford was a revelation in 2025. He started as a true freshman, locked down some of the SEC's best receivers, and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.
Losing a foundational piece like Crawford suggests that the buy-in for the new regime is facing headwinds. It forces the new defensive staff—led by the retained DJ Durkin—to scramble for replacements in the secondary via the portal, trading developed young talent for unknown commodities.
The Addition: Larry Scott Joins Staff
In verified coaching news, Golesh has hired Larry Scott as the new Tight Ends Coach. Scott brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as the head coach at Howard and an assistant at Miami and Tennessee.
Scott is known as an elite recruiter, particularly in Florida. His arrival is timely, as he will immediately be tasked with stopping the bleeding on the recruiting trail and potentially flipping some prospects before the February signing day.
Analysis
The trade-off is stark: Auburn gains a veteran recruiter in Scott but loses a proven SEC starter in Crawford. For Golesh to succeed in Year 1, he must stop the exodus of talent. The portal window opens fully in January, and retaining the remaining core is now priority number one.